Electric switch.



(No Model.)

A Patented Feb. n, 1902;" JAMES Jones & JAMES Jones, 1n.' .y

ELECTRIC SWlTCH. A

(Application led May 31, 1901.)

' y. y Jn/9.

TH: Nonms PETERS 00,. Primo-Limo.. wAsHlNaToN. D. c.

JAMES J ONESJ r. ,citizens of theUnited States,

- tion.

UNiTnD STATES JAMES JONES AND JAMES JONES,

PATENT OFFICE.

JR., onnRooKLYN, NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

.srnerrroamolv farming leert o f Letters Patent No. 693,275, dated February 11, 1902.

Application `filed May 31l 1901y T0 @ZZ 'whom t may concurre:

Beit known` that we, JAMES .JONES and residing in the borough of Brooklyn, city and State of New York, have invented an Improvement in Electric Switches, of which the following is a specification.'

Our invention relates to electric switches, and more particularly to switches used for closing light-circuits and the like and placed on ceilings or side walls, where they are not readily reached from the floor.

In carrying out our invention we prefer to employ an ordinary or well-known form'of rotary switch. This switchis secured to a plate fastened to and standing out from a base to be secured to a wall or ceiling. To this base is'secured lneansfor engaging the button of the switch, which means are actuated by a ilexible hanging device and adapted to be re peatedly moved in one direction and returned automatically to a normal position. Each forceful movement ofthe mechanism b v the hanging device imparts a partial rotation to the switch-button to turn on or off the electric current. This mechanism preferably comprises a swinging member,-v such as a hinged plate having a boss with a reduced end. Ay sleeve carrying an arm is mounted on the said boss, and a revoluble notched disk is connected to the boss and is free to turn. A exible hanging device is connected to the free end of the arm. The arm carries a springactuated pawl, engaging the notches of the disk, and a spring secured to the hinged plate at one end and to the arm at the other end maintains the arm in a normal raised posi- The outer face of the disk has projections or studs in pairs to receive and engage the switch-button. The hinged'plate is provided with a means for securing it in position, and a spring serves to throw outward the devices of the swinging member away from the switch-button when released.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of the devices embodying our improvements. Fig. 2 is an elevation and partial section on the line @c fr, Fig. l, looking to the left.

Fig. 3 is an elevation similar to Fig. l, show-A ing the swinging member and operating parts removed from the switch-button. Fig. 4 is a section on line y y, Fig. 2; and Figs. 5, G, and 7 serial No. 62,544. (No modem illustrate modifications hereinafter more particularly described.

are-presents a base or backing to be fastened in any manner to the wall or. ceiling b. The base d, and preferably atgone end, isprovided with a plate c, forming the switch-support, which may be integral with the base or secured to the same in any suitable manner. 6o In thedrawings we have .shown these parts as separable and fastened together with screws. The switch d, which is preferably -the ordinary rotary switch, `is secured to the plate-support c. f

e represents the button of the switch. The base 'cris provided on opposite sides and in corresponding positions with the eye-lugs a' ct." fis preferablya plate of metal rounded at one end and provided at theother end with 7o the eye-lugs f'f'. These eye-lugs a' ct'ff and the pin g form a hinge-joint between the based and the plate f. We have shown this form of connection; but it is evident that other means may beemployed toV effect the purpose. The hinged platefis provided with a boss t' of circular cross-section whose outer end-is reduced, thus providing the boss with a shoulder l. The notched disk Z has an open .center andhub which fits over and turns 8o upon the reduced .end of' the boss z'. This disk Z is advantageously held in place on the boss i by means of al screw 2 and washer 3, whichlatter tits intoV ay recess inthe outer face of the disk, as shown inFig. 4. The disk is provided with studs 0 integral therewith or otherwisesecured to and projecting from one face and arranged in pairs in such positions as to be adapted to pass at each side of and receive the opposite ends of the switch- 9o button e between them. For use in connection with an ordinary rotary switch the disk l is provided with four spaced-apart equidistant notches. v

Between the disk- Z and the shoulder l ofthe boss z' we employ a sleeve r, fitting over the hub of the disk Z, the latter forming' a bearling upon which the said sleeve may turn.

The'sleeve r has an integral arm t, which carries aI spring-actuated pawl u to engage the loc notches of the disk l. The inner end of the arm tis connected to the eye-lug f'of the base a by means of the spring 4, whereby the arm tis normally kept in contact with the stop-pin 5, which latter is a part of the hinged plate f. The free end of the arm t is perforated or otherwise formed for attaching a flexible hanging device, such as a cord or chain 7, by which the switch is operated.

The hinged plate j' and the parts connected thereto may be swung upon the pivot-rod g, and when the parts are in operative position, as in Fig. 1, the studs o of the disk Z engage the button e of the switch, and to hold the parts in this position we employ a wedge-bar 8, pivoted 'at one end to the hinged plate f, the other end being slightly rounded and adapted to wedge against the base a and by so doing hold the plate and parts in operative connection. In some instances it is desirable and in others necessary to be able to readily move and hold aside the Voperative parts, and to accomplish this we employ a spring 9, secured at one end to the base a,

the other end passing through an opening 10, provided for that purpose in the hinged plate f, so that when the wedge-bar 8 is released the spring 9 will push the operative parts out to the position shown in Fig. 3 and hold them there. In this position the switch can be taken apart or put together.

It will be apparent by reference to Figs. 1, 2, and 4: that in operating the switch as the arm t is pulled down by the cord 7 the pawl a engages a notch of the disk, and the latter s turned a quarter-revolution by bringing the arm down to the stop-pin 11, and by so doing the circuit controlled by the switch is either made or broken. When the cord is released, the spring 4 returns the arm t to its normal position against the pin 5, leaving the disk, and consequently the switch, in the new position and the spring-actuated pawl engaging the next notch of the disk preparatory to repeating the movement. Thus it is evident that the disk is rotated in a constant direction a quarter of a turn for every making, breaking, remaking, or rebreakin g the circuit controlled by the switch. v

IVhile we have shown the switch and hinged parts in a vertical position, itwould be quite within the spirit of our invention to make the said position horizontal instead of vertical and employing a pulley to obtain a direct pull on the cord.

As the position of the bntton'e upon the stem of the switch when screwed to place is liable to vary in different switches, an adjustable connection therefrom to the disk Z is desirable. We therefore prefer to recess the surface of the disk Z and to employ a circular plate of metal 12, fitting therein and secured adjustably thereto by the screws 13 passing through curved mortises 14C therein into said disk Z. Upon the surface of the plate 12 we provide lugs 15, adapted to come at each side of the button c and engage the same. Fig. 5 is an elevation, and Fig. 6 a cross-section at ,ef a, showing this modification.

The wedge-bar 8 may be dispensed with, as a satisfactory structure may be made by prolonging the spring 9 through the mortise in the plate f and forming the end thereof as a latch 16, (shown in the partial elevation, Fig. 7,) and which latch engages the outer surface of the said plate f to hold the same in position, with thelugs of the disk Z in engagement with the button e. To free the plate f, the latch is depressed and the plate slightly moved by hand, after which the spring will move the parts into the position shown in Fig. 3.

We claim as our invention- 1. In a ceiling-switch the combination with a base, a rotary switch and a support therefor, of means independent of the switch for engaging the button of said switch and means acting through the aforesaid means for opening and closing the switch, substantially as specified.

2. A ceiling-switch comprising a base, a complete rotary switch of well-knownform a su pport therefor, a revoluble disk in dependent of the switch, means connectedto said disk and extending therefrom to engage the button of the said switch, and means for progressively revolving the said disk, whereby the switch is opened and closed, substan- -tially as specified.

4. In a ceiling-switch, the combination with a base, a rotary switch and a support therefor, of means adapted to engage the button of said switch, means to operate the aforesaid means to open and close the switch, means for holding both the aforesaid operative means in connection with the switch-button, and means for automatically moving and holding both the operative means from the switchbutton when the means for holding the said operative means in position with the switchbutton are released, substantially as specified.

5. In a ceiling-switch, the combination with a base, a rotary switch and support therefor, of a hinged plate connected to the said base, means attached to the said hinged plate to engage the button of said switch, means to operate the aforesaid means to open and close the switch, means also attached to the said hinged plate to hold the same and the parts connected therewith in position in relation to the switch-button, substantially as specified.

6. In a ceiling-switch, the combination with a base, a rotary switch and support therefor, of a hinged plate connected to the said base, means attached to the said hinged plate to engage the button of said switch, means to operate the aforesaid means to open and close the switch, means also attached to the said hinged plate to hold the same and the parts connected therewith in position in relation to IOC) IIO

yss

the switch-button, and means for automatically swinging and holding the hinged plate and the parts connected therewith away from the switch-button when t-hela'st-named means `are released, substantially as specified.

automatically swinging and holding the-said Y hinged member and the parts connected therewith away from the switch-button when the' said locking means are released, substantially as specified. v

8. In a cei1ing-switch,the combination with a base` a rotary switch and a support therefor, of a hinged plate, a circular boss integral therewith, a revoluble notched disk having a hub secured to saidl boss, studs connected to the disk and adapted to engage the button of said switch, means also connected to the said boss to revolve the said disk and thereby open and close the-switch,'means for locking the said hinged plate and parts connected therewith in position, and means for automatically swinging and holding ,the said hinged member and the parts connected therewith away from the switch-button when the said locking means are released, substantially as specified.

9. In a ceiling-switch, the combination with a base, a rotary switch and a support therefor, of a hinged plate, a circular boss integral therewith, a revoluble notched disk having a hub secured to said boss, studs connected to the disk and adapted to engage the button of said switch, a sleeve fitting over the said hub of the said disk, an arm integral V with the said sleeve, a pawl connected to said arm and adapted to engage the notches of said disk, a cord attached to said arm whereby the arm may be drawn down, means vfor returning the arm to its normal position at'- ter being drawn down, means for locking the said hinged plate and parts connected therewith in position, and means for automatically swinging and holding the said hinged member and the parts connected therewith away from the switch-button, when the said locking means are released, substantially as specified.

10. In a ceilingswitch, the combination with a base, a rotary switch and a support therefor, of a hinged plate, a circular boss integral therewith, a revoluble notched disk having a vhub secured to said boss, studs connected to the disk and adapted to engage the button of said switch,a sleeve itting over the said hub of the said disk, an arm integral with the said sleeve, a pawl connected to said arm and adapted to engage the notches of said disk, a cord attached to said arm whereby the arm may be drawn down, a spring for returning the arm toits normal position after being drawn down, means for locking the said hinged plate and parts connected therewith in position, and means for automatically swinging and holding the said hinged member and the parts connected therewith away from the switch button,

when the-said locking means are released, p

substantially as specified.

11.- In a ceiling-switch, the combination with a base, a rotary switch and a support therefor, of a hinged plate, a circular boss integral therewith, a revoluble notched disk having a hub secured to said boss, studs connected to the disk and adapted to engage the button of said switch, a 'sleeve fitting over the said hub of the said disk, an arm integral with the said sleeve, apawl connected t0 i said arm and adapted to engage the notches of said disk, a cord attached to said arm whereby the arm may be drawn down, a

spring for returning the arm to its normal p0- sition after being drawn down, a barpivoted to the hinged plateand adapted to wedge with the base to hold the hinge-plate and connectedl parts inV position, and means for automatically swinging and holding the said.

hinged member and the parts connected therewith away from the switch button when the said locking means are released, substantially as specified. f

12. In a ceiling-switch, the combination with a base, a rotary switch and arsupport IOO therefor, of a hingedplate, a circular boss in- I IIO base to hold the'hinge-plate and connected parts in position, and a spring for automat- -ically swinging and holding the said hinged 14. The combination with arotaryswitch of i ordinary form and a support therefor in an elevated position, of a revoluhle notched disk and devices for connecting the same tothe button of the switch, a swinging` arm and spring-actuated pawl carried thereby and engaging the disk for turning the same progressively, a flexible hanging device by which the arm is forcefully moved in one direction and a spring for automatically returning the arm to the normal position, and a support therefor, substantially as specified.

15. The combination with a rotary switch of ordinary form and a support therefor in an elevated position, of a revolulo'le notched disk and devices for connecting the same to the button of the switch, a swinging arrn and spring-actuated pawl carried thereby and engaging the disk for turning the saine progressively, a flexible hanging device by Which the arm is forcefully moved in one direction and a spring for automatically returning the arm to the normal position and a swinging support therefor, a locking device for holding the support in a fixed operative position and a spring for throwing the parts out when released, substantially as specified.

Signed by us this 11th day of May, 1901.

' JAMES JONES.

JAS. JONES, .l1-i. Witnesses:

F. E. LUDLUM, J. M ONDERDONK. 

